For A$AP Rocky, keeping it real is distinctly overrated. The Harlem-born rapper is not shy about the hedonistic life that musical success has earned him.
After establishing himself with a self-released mixtape four years ago, 2013’s “Long. Live. A$AP” took him to mainstream stardom — he hit the Billboard Top 10 with the single “F**kin’ Problems,” which featured guest spots from Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar.
Despite the death of his collaborator/business partner, A$AP Yams, from an overdose in January, and the breakup of his relationship with model Chanel Iman last year, Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) was typically confident — and predictably baked — when the New York Post talked with him.
The chat took place just prior to a lecture he gave at the Red Bull Music Academy — a monthlong series of workshops, discussions and performances across New York City (in Harlem, Brooklyn, etc.), which concludes at the end of May.
With the 26-year-old’s third album, “At. Long. Last. A$AP,” due on June 2 (the first single is “L$D”), Rocky had plenty to talk about: drugs, orgies, Rick James and more.
For about 12 to 18 months after “Problems” came out, it was virtually inescapable. What was the impact of that on your everyday life?
[Coughing and spluttering from a very recent weed intake] It didn’t really change much. My first tour [in 2012] was with Kendrick Lamar and Drake. I lost my virginity when I was 13, I f**ked loads of women by the time I was 18. This s**t ain’t nothing new to me. I’m not a mainstream n - a. My taste level is so alternative that if I do something that becomes mainstream, it’s only because I wanted to do it.
Why do you think LSD is so in vogue in rap right now? It’s obviously an influence on your new material, and for artists like Chance the Rapper and I Love Makonnen too.
There’s definitely a psychedelic influence on my new album. Makonnen gave me acid at SxSW. This n***a looked like Buddha with a Jheri curl! After that, I went back to my mansion and f**ked nine chicks. It was pretty rad. That’s a true story.
Did you say nine women? As in, one fewer than 10?
Yeah, but not all at one time. It’s like group sex. You have three at a time, and then you have three orgies. That’s nine chicks.Did you say nine women? As in, one fewer than 10?
You’ve mentioned that you use LSD to help you cope with life, especially after breaking up with Chanel Iman and the death of A$AP Yams. But do you ever fear you might become reliant on it?
Nah, I don’t rely on that s**t. Look at me — I’m cozy. I do smoke weed every day, though.
I figured. You attended the Met Gala in 2014. Do you think of yourself as a Kanye-style democratizer of fashion?
No I’m not at that point. I just like what I like. But I don’t wanna say what my favorite [brand] is because people will start wearing that s**t, and then it’s not my favorite any more.
Now that you’ve started off your movie career, playing a drug dealer in the upcoming movie “Dope,” what other sorts of roles would you like to explore?
I really like Guy Ritchie films. I’d like to be in the next “Oceans” movie…I think it would be “Ocean’s 14.” And I also want to play Rick James. That would be some hilarious s**t. [Giggles]
Here’s a clip from the “Dope,” flick:
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